Cardi B’s involvement in politics comes at a great cost to herself. One understanding of artistic expression is found in the artist’s ability to be apolitical. This is not to say that art cannot be political. In fact, some of the greatest art in history, both in America and around the world has been political.
So then,
Artists being a part of political discourse is not new. Being ignorant of the topic central to the conversation is also not new.
But, I think at the root of the issue between Cardi B and Candace Owens is…
“Do BLACK people deserve better?”
The answer to this is not a simple yes or no when placed in context. But, of course, black people deserve better; every group deserves their best representative speaking on their behalf.
How then do we determine the “best”? At the bottom, the critique is to get someone who can “speak English well,” which underscores a very important point about elitism. I also do not think celebrities in the arts, unless they have proven not only their involvement in a community but have also tried to learn the issues and concerns of that community, should be the group that represents the community.
I am reminded of Malcolm X’s quote from his interview in 1963 on celebrities as leaders in the black community. Malcolm X called them “…puppets who have been put in front of the black community by white liberals…they have been made celebrities…”
However, celebrities can speak for themselves, right? Does the ripple effect of showcasing one’s political view mean that a person should be restrained in their political activism?
If your answer to the questions is ‘yes’, then the problem is much bigger than the celebrity speaking; the problem is a culture of followers who are unable or unwilling to think critically to make their own decisions.
If a community cannot relish in the art without deifying the artist, that seems more of a collective dilemma than an issue for which we need to attack an artist for undue coercion/pressure.
Cardi B does not speak for the collective of African Americans. In fact, she is not a part of the group. It is not lost on me what she said and the ways in which she perpetuated colorism and the degradation of black women.
Cardi B is not the spokesperson for black women. But she does get to speak politics, which comes with critiques.
I am not defending Cardi B as an individual, I am defending every person’s right and privilege to be a part of political discourse. I am expressing concerns now about who we deem worthy of speaking.
When the question is “how well does someone speak?” We have limited our ability to be understanding and inclusive of ideas.
The best ideas do not always come from the best speakers and intellects.
Which brings up the question with which we began…
“Do BLACK people deserve better?”
We always do.
The question of access and who is willing to stand up, are ones that cannot be overlooked.
Disagree with the substance of what people say. Explain why they are wrong. Cardi B has a right to speak and a right to be involved in politics; she has every right to promote her politics with her fans.
She can also be criticized. However, to make fun of the way she speaks as your form of attack is reductive. To ignore the fact that people can think for themselves is condescending.
If Candace did this to sell her book as some have claimed, it most likely worked. One of the things Cardi and other celebrities will have to learn is that people will use their name to get ahead. Feeding into people’s insecurities and selfish self-promotion will benefit the other person once you engage.
Stop wasting your energy in a fight where the other person has nothing meaningful to lose.
This goes for everyone, not just celebs.
YouTube video here.
